DILLON – The Montana Western men’s basketball program had eight members of the 1,000-point club prior to the Bulldogs’ game against Eastern Oregon on Saturday.
Despite a close 71-67 loss, there was a silver lining in that game. Senior guard and Billings native Kooper Kidgell became the ninth member of that 1,000-point club with a team-high 18 points in the contest. Kidgell put more points on his record in another loss for the Bulldogs on Sunday to third-ranked College of Idaho.
With a large chunk of the season still to be played, there is plenty of time for Kidgell to add to his 1,022-point total. Head coach Mike Larsen shared his thoughts about Kidgell’s leadership and what helped him get to that 1,000-point mark.
“I didn’t know who my leader was going to be, being that it’s my first year,” Larsen said. “He’s been a guy who has been our voice in the locker room, off the floor, even on the floor. That’s been a huge asset for me to have, a guy who I can go and say something to and he relays that to the team.”
“I’m just very grateful I ended up here at Western. I have to give a shout-out to all my other Dawgs. Without guys like Dom (Robinson), (Zaccheus Darko-Kelly), (Brandon Jones), all those other guys, (Dexter Williams), I wouldn’t have been able to score all the points I have. (You) can’t do it without your teammates,” said Kidgell.